Locum tenens work benefits both physicians and hospitals/healthcare organizations. In using locum tenens, the staffing needs of healthcare facilities are met while physicians gain flexibility in their schedules and professional experience in multiple practice settings. The twenty plus-year old industry continues to grow as more and more physicians choose this way of practicing medicine and healthcare organizations continue to learn the value of locum tenens staffing.

Why do physicians choose to do Locum Tenens?
Physicians choose locum tenens work for a variety of reasons and at various points in their careers. For example, it is an especially appealing option for new physicians just out of residency training. It provides them with the opportunity to sample different practices and areas of the country before making a long-term commitment in any one spot. While medical schools and residency programs teach the art of practicing medicine, new physicians frequently emerge from training without knowing just what style of practice will suit them best. In fact, research has shown that an alarming number of new physicians are unhappy with their first practice setting. With locum tenens, there's no pressure to hurry and decide anything permanent. And there are no immediate financial burdens such as "buying in" to a practice or permanently locating to the wrong place. You can even use a locum tenens assignment to try out a specific practice opportunity before making a permanent commitment.

Locum tenens is also the choice of many seasoned physicians who are not ready to retire, but want to scale down the rigors and administrative hassles of full-time practice. These physicians enjoy the chance to keep more reasonable hours and combine work with travel and time spent with family and friends.

Still, other physicians choose locum tenens work in mid-career as a way to find the right position in a new area, or while they are in professional transition, such as from military to civilian practice or while in the process of starting their own business.

Why do clients use Locum Tenens physicians?
Clients requesting locum tenens coverage range from rural solo physician practices to the country's major health systems and managed care organizations. These clients have found that supplemental healthcare professionals are needed for a variety of reasons: to fill in for an absent staff member (who may be ill, on vacation, on maternity leave or sabbatical), to cover while physicians attend CME courses, to supplement regular staff during busy times, or to staff new facilities while permanent providers are recruited. Many healthcare facilities across the country use locum tenens as an integral part of their master staffing plan. In many cases it is cheaper and more efficient to staff at a minimum level and use locum tenens to supplement the permanent staff, rather than always trying to staff at the maximum level and having many periods of time when the staff is not fully utilized.

What should I look for in a Locum Tenens company?
When choosing a staffing company, physicians and clients should look for the same qualities in a firm. From the staffing firm's perspective, the industry is a two way street, meaning that both physicians and clients must be provided with the services they need in order for the company to succeed. To help you evaluate different firms and choose one that you can feel comfortable working with, here are some guidelines to follow:

• Is the company a member of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO)? NALTO is a newly established organization dedicated to establishing a set of service standards among locum tenens companies and educating the healthcare industry on the benefits of locum tenens staffing. Like the NAPR, the members of NALTO are held to a strict code of ethics. You can be sure that companies belonging to NALTO are following the highest standards and provide quality services.
• Is the company also a member of the National Association of Physician Recruiters (NAPR)? The NAPR was established to enhance and develop the profession of physician recruiting. All members are held to a strict code of ethics that determine professional standards in the industry.
• Does the company provide malpractice insurance for the physicians they place; are they concerned with whether the client has coverage?
• What is the company's payroll history; do they have the financial resources to pay their physicians regularly?
• Does the company offer the services necessary to ensure all details are taken care of when the physician arrives to work, i.e., licensing, credentialing, hospital privileges, proper physician travel and housing arrangements?

In addition to these guidelines, the firm you choose should place a high priority on quality service. This means: a professional staff to provide with you personal attention; comprehensive service offerings such as payroll, travel and housing departments; qualified physicians who meet strict credentialing standards; and most importantly, enough assignments for doctors to choose from and enough doctors for clients to choose from.

How much will I make as a Locum Tenens physician?
As with permanent positions, there is a great deal of variance in compensation based on the specific medical specialty as well as the location of each job. Most locum tenens companies pay their physicians a daily or hourly rate for time worked, as well as covering travel and housing expenses, malpractice insurance and licensing costs. The real benefit to locum tenens work is that you get to travel, have flexibility regarding when and where you work, and earn a fair wage. To find out more contact either a NALTO or NAPR member firm that provides locum tenens staffing.